Highway Safety Tips
The UNC Highway Safety Research Center offers the following tips to motorists for lowering the risk of a vehicle collision with animals.
Always wear a seat belt. Proper restraint offers the best protection from injuries in the event of a wildlife vehicle collision.
Slow down. Drivers should lower their speeds in areas with large animal populations, such as wooded or farmland areas, and particularly where animal warning signs are posted.
Watch for eyes reflecting from headlights. Try to look far down the road and scan the roadsides, especially when driving through field edges, heavily wooded areas or posted animal crossing areas. The sooner you see an animal on or approaching a road, the better the chances of avoiding a vehicle collision. Using high beam headlights at night when there is no approaching traffic will make it easier to spot animals near the roads.
Remember that deer and elk travel in herds. If one of these animals crosses the road in front of you, don’t assume that all is clear. Deer and elk herds can be large, and the animals often move one right behind the other.
Avoid relying on “deer whistles” or other “ultra-sonic” devices that claim to prevent deer collisions.
Maintain control of your vehicle. It is important to not lose control of your vehicle or veer into the path of an oncoming vehicle to avoid contact with an animal. Loss of control usually results in a more serious crash.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol advises drivers who are in a wildlife vehicle collision with an animal, to avoid putting themselves in further danger by attempting to remove the animal carcass. Motorists are advised to pull over to a safe location off the roadway and dial 911 or *HP for help.
Because roadkill can attract wildlife towards the highway, it’s important to report sightings of deceased wildlife along the roadside right away. For the handling and removal of dead animals on the side of the road, please call NCDOT at 1-877-368-4968.
